1t  Igfe6 


Duke  University  Libraries 

Governor's  mess 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #227 

DTTD7DS37/ 


GOVERNOR'S  MESSAGE 


! 


AND 


.ICCOJIPJ^TIJSG  DOCUJIE^'TS 


IN  KKLATION  TO  THE 


SUPPLY  OF  SALT 


yOR  THE 


ST-A-TE!   OIF'    C3-:3E30I?.a-I.i^.. 


f_St3i54  ^ 


BOUGHTON,  NISr.ET  &  BARNES,  Statk  Piukterx 

IMILLEPOEVILLE,    GA. 


1S63. 


-11—  k 


PERKINS  LIBRARY 

Uuke   University 


Kare  Dooks 


["ibr^i 


[Ordered  200  copies  for  the  House.} 
MESSAGE. 

EXECUTIVE  dp:partment,       ) 

MiLLEDGEViLi.E,  Geor«!;ia,  April  iid,  18(53.5 

To  the  House  of  Representatives : 

I  coinmunicate  herewith  a  copy  of  the  contract  made 
through  the  agency  of  lion.  John  W.  Lewis  with  Maj.  M. 
S.  TempUi,  for  the  niannfactnre  of  salt  ut  Saltville,  Virgio- 
ia,  together  with  a  correspondt-nce  between  Major  Temple 
and  myself,  upon  the  subject  of  increased  compensation  for 
the  manufacture  of  salt.  I  am  also  })erniitted  by  the  kind- 
7iess  of  Hon.  B.  H.  Bigham,  of  the  House,  to  copy  a  letter 
from  the  Superintendent  of  the  Virginia  and  Tennessee  R. 
R.  Co.,  upon  the  subject  of  the  transportation  of  salt  from 
^Saltville  to  Bristol,  and  of  wood  to  the  Georgia  works  at 
Saltville.  These  documents  will,  I  trust,  be  found  to  con- 
tain the  information  required  by  the  resolution  of  the 
House. 

It  may  not  be  iinproper  for  irie  to  remark,  that  wliile  as 
a  general  rule,  I  oppose  the  payment  of  additional  compen- 
jsation  to  those  who  have  undertaken  to  perform  any  service 
for  the  State  for  a  sum  agreed  upon  by  the  parties,  I  am  of 
opinion  that  the  interest  of  the  State  would  be  advanced  by 
a  departure  from  the  rule  in  this  case.  The  outlay  of  mo- 
ney in  the  manufacture  of  salt,  with  the  pn'sent  difficulties 
in  procuring  wood,  and  at  the  present  high  prices  of  labor 
•  a!id  provisions,  is  so  much  greater  than  it  was  at  the  time 
the  contract  was  made,  that  it  is  not  now  possible  for  the 
contractor  to  make  the  salt  at  the  price  agreed  upon. 
As  the  contract  is  a  large  one,  running  through  the  war, 
the  result  must  be  the  bankruptcy  of  the  contractor,  and 
the  suspension  of  the  work.  1  therefore  recommend  such 
change  in  the  contract  as  will  enable  the  contractor  to  press 
forward  with  the  work,  upon  cunditlon  that  he  enlarge  his 
■works,  if  not  already  sufficient,  so  as  to  supply  to  the  State 
the  full  quantity  of  five  hundred  bushels  per  day,  while  he 
receives  the  additional  compensation. 

By  reference  to  the  letter  of  Mr.  Dodamead,  it  will  be 
flcen  that  our  trains  will  not  be  permitted  to  run  over  hia 

r?  r^   ^ri     #-x  a    r^ 


road  U)  Saltvill<*  to  tiannport  oijr  fwlt.  to  this  Statr.  Tliu« 
wottles  the  (jiiestioii,  tliat  it  in  impossible  lor  iis  to  do  our 
own  carrying,  jw  \vl*  can  have  no  rontri)!  over  the  rojids  bc- 
vond  the  limits  of  this  State.  We  are  therefore  at  the 
mercy  of  the  Uailroatls,  and  will  be  obliged  to  submit  to 
mch  terms  as  they  Miay  impose. 

While  the  compensation  oIVitimI  by  the  Virginia  and  Ten- 
nessee Ivoad  for  the  use  of  engines  and  ears  whieh  wo  ur.xy 
furnish  to  the  Superintendent  of  that  Uoad,  to  be  used  l>y 
him  in  the  trausportation  of  wood  and   salt   lor   this  Statt* 
and  luT  people,  is  much  less  than  the   actual    \  aliU!   of  the 
liire  of  the  trains,  1  recommend  that  his   proposition  be  ac- 
cepted, and  that  two  trains  be  furnished  by  tlu'  State  for 
tiie  purpose  of  supply inj;  all  the  Georgia  works  with  wood, 
and  bringing  out  the  Georgia  salt  to   IJristol.     To  aceom- 
plish  this  object,  it  will  be  lUM-essary  that  1  be  authori/.cd  to 
purchase?  or  impress  the  trains  liom  some  of  the   Coir.pany 
roads  of  this  State,  as  the  resolutions  of  tlie  last  session  do 
not,  in  my  opinion,  contemplate  a  permanent  impressnjcnt, 
but  only  a  temporary   seizure  of  trains  to   run  from   tl»:.> 
State  to  Saltville.     The  State   lload    cannot    furnish    the 
trains,  as  we  have  already  lost  about  two  hundred  cars  and 
several  of  our  most  valuable   engines,  wiiich   v.erc  carried 
to  other  sections  of  the  Confederacy  in  military  service,  and 
never  returned  to  tlu?  Road.     Th««  press  of  business,  espe- 
cially for  the  Confederate  (Jovernment,  is  very  heavy  upon 
the  iioad,  and  I   am   obliged  to   continue   to   run  the  corn 
train  to  Southwestern  (Jeorgia  during  most  of  this  spring 
and  summer,  to  supply  bread  to  the  people  in  the  destitute 
sections  of  the  State.     It   will   Ix'come  necessary  for  the 
State  and  lier  companies  to  build  a  warehouse  at   IJristol, 
and  store  the  salt  as  fast  as  it   is   brought   fro:n  Saltvllle- 
AVe  shall  then  b(;  dependent  upon  the  Kast  Tenriessei!  and 
Virginia  and  the  Kast  'J'eimessee  and  Georgia  Uoads  to  bring 
it  to   Dalton.     Whil<;  I   anticipate   difliculty   in  getting  it 
through  from  liristol  to  Dalton,  I  trust  arrangements   luny 
be  consummated  by  which  it  can  be  done   within  the  year. 
Trovision  should  be  nuid*.-  for  furnishing  additional  rolling 
stock  on  these  roails  to  carry  it,  if  we  can   do  uo  better, 
Kvery  ctVort  in  our  power  should  be  made  to  secure  a  suj*- 
ply  of  salt  for  the  .State  as  soon   as  po^^isible,  that   v»e  nn\y 
avoid  the  panic  and  high  prices   which   may   result  iVoui 
scarcity  next  fall. 

JOSEPH  K.  liUOWiN. 


5 

SALT  CONTRACT. 

Whercns,  n  contract  was  made  and  ontoroJ  into  on  tho 
:mtli  (lay  of  Man^h,  J  8(52,  between  Stewart,  Buchauan  A 
Co.,  of  tlie  first  part,  and  John  W.  Lewis,  agent  of  the  Estate 
of  Georgia,  under  ))ower  of  attorney  from  the.  Governor  of 
8;ji<)  State,  of  th(!  othiM*  part,  the  terms  and  eonsidorations 
■'>f  which  is  as  follows,  to-wit : 

STATR  OF  VIRGINIA,      ) 
Smythe  County,  May  .'{Oth,  1S02.  > 

Articles  of  agreeniont  made  and  enrdred  into  between 
Stewart,  liuthanan  ^t  Co.,  of  the  first  part,  and  John  W. 
Lewis,,  agent  of  the  State  of  Georgia  under  power  of  attor- 
ney from  the  Governor  of  said  iState,  of  the  other  part, 
vvitnesseth,  that  the  Kaid  party  of  the  first  part  agrees  to 
furnish  and  raise  sufficiently  high  to  riui  to  the  salt  kettles 
at  the  1  jcatioa  sdected  in  the  moadov.f  j)elow  the  Preston 
1uritaf:e,.at  the  salt  works  known  as  tlie  Prc^stoii  and  King 
Salt  Works,  in  the  county  and  State  aforesaid,  a  sufliciency 
td  .Slit  water  to  make  as  mucli  as  five  liundrcd 
i^uskels  per  <lay  of  wdt  (if  that  uuich  can  be  made  by  the 
party  of  thefirrt  part),  for  which  the  party  of  the  second 
part  is  to  pay  at  the  rate  of  fifty  cents  per  bushel  of  fifty 
}»ounds,  on  every  bushel  of  salt  manufactured  from  said  wa- 
ter .so  raised: — payment  for  the  same  to  be  made  every  week. 
The  party  of  tltc  second  part  is  to  incur  every  expense  con- 
Hiccied  with  the  manufacture  of  said  salt,  except  furnishing 
the  water  raised  as  above  stated,  and  have  liberty  connected 
Avith  tJie  grounds  adjacent  to  the  location  above  described, 
1o  put  lij)  the  uecessar}'^  kettles,  shelters,  hauling  wood, 
Kalt,  <kc. 

The  party  of  the  second  part  has  the  liberty  of  extend- 
ing this  contract  until  the  end  of  the  present  war,  and  until 
three  months  thereafter.  The  party  of  the  second  part 
does  not  obligate  himself  to  fnake  any  given  quantity  per 
day,  but  will,  after  getting  kettles,  shelters,  &c.,  make,  if 
he  can,  oOO  bushels  per  day.  Ji  it  becomes  necessary  to 
oiocreasethe  stationary  inotive  power,  or  otherwise  increase 
the  power  of  elevating  the  salt  water,  tlie  party  of  the  sec- 
"nid  part  can  have  it  done,  and  return  pa)'^  for  the  same  otit 
<<»f  the  salt  rent.  In  the  event  of  a  failure  of  an  ample  sup- 
ply of  salt  water  of  good  strengtii,  the  said  Stew'art,  Buch- 
anan <t  Co.  are  to  be  liable  for  no  damaffcs  on  account  there- 
of.  And  the  said  .Tohn  W.  Lewis,  agent,  is  not  to  mterfere 
with  the  said  Stewart,  Buchanan  &  Co.  in  <jetting  wood 
Isaulcd  upon  the  Railroad,  and  unless  both  parties  can  have 
enotigh  hauled  lor  their  j)urposes,  said  Stewart,  Buchanaa 
*\  Co.,  for  their  furnaces  now  in  operation,  sliall  have  the 


preference  so  far  as  the  Ijaulinir  of  the  \'irgiuia  and  Tennes- 
Kce  Railroad  is  cotiieriu'd.  And  the  said  Le^vis,  agent, 
atrrees  to  dis|>ose  of  the  salt  inunuliicturt'd  bv  him  to  the 
citizens  of  the  .State  of  Georgia,  for  therr  consunjption. 
Signed  in  (hijdicate.  Witness  the  foUowing  siirnatiires  : 
(Sinned)  STKWAKT,  lU'CHANAN  &  CO., 

(Signed)  JOHN   W.  LKWIS, 

Ag't  under  jxjwi'T  td  ait'x'   Irnui  the  State  of  (la. 

Now,  in  order  to  the  fnll  execution  of  the  ahove  reeited 
<ontraet,  th<'  said  John  W.  I^i'wis,  anent,  agrees  witli  M.  S. 
Temple,  of  tlu'  eonnly  (d  (Jreen  and  Stat(!  of 'rmnessee,  as 
lollows  :  The  said  M.  S.  Temple  assumes  tin;  carrying  into 
clfect  in  good  faith  the  above  recited  contract  on  the  part 
and  in  the  stead  of  the  said  John  \V.  Lewis,  agent. 

The  said  Lewi45  turns  over  to  the  sai<l  Temjde  forty-one 
kettles,  now  at  the  place,  2,500  feet  oi  plank,  1  1,050  brick. 
now  at  the  place,  one  and  a  half  barrels  ot  nails,  two  iron 
ladles,  'l  small  iron  bevy  cliisi-ls,  pointed  for  cleaning  ket- 
tles, J -J  bar.-i  ot  old  railroad  iion,  and  ;j  axes.  These  arti- 
cles are  to  go  without  sjiecial  charge,  but  ionn  a  consi(*era- 
tion  in  the  general  contract.  The  said  Lewis  is  to  have 
furnished  at  the  salt  W(nks  to  the  said  Temple,  ready  made, 
sacks  to  hold  t!i<'  srdt.  and  twine  to  sew  th(;  same,  as  much 
as  five  hundred  bnsliels  oi"  salt  per  day.  unavoidable  acci- 
dents in  breakage,  leakage  and  things  not  Vvithin  his  power 
to  control,  excepted  , 

The  said  Tem[)le  (d)ligaring  himself,  his  heirs,  executors 
and  administrators  to  furni>li  that  nmch  salt  delivered  in 
tlie  bags,  as  above,  on  the  cars,  provided  the  cars  are  furn- 
ished at  the  salt,  works,  and  is  to  receive  one  dollar  and  fifty 
c<;nts  per  bushel,  of  fifty  pounds  to  the  bushel,  fur  the  sann\ 
payable  weekly  in  bankable  currency;  and  is  to  continue 
to  deliver  that  much  until  the  end  of  the  present  war,  and 
until  three  months  afterwards. 

The  said  Temple  is  to  put  uji  the  kettles  as  soon  as  pos- 
)*ible — thos(!  now  on  hand — and  to  have  enough  in  opera- 
lion  to  jnake  as  much  as  five  hiin(li(>d  bushels  jxu'  dav,  as 
soon  as  it  is  possible  to  do  it.  W  the  ])re«ent  war  should 
terminate  before  the  amount  of  sixty  thousand  bushels  is 
made,  the  mid  Lewis,  agent,  is  to  take  that  much  on  the 
above  terms,  at  any  rate.  In  c;isc  the  public  enemy  should 
take  and  j)ossess  the  said  salt  works,  then,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  none  of  the  parties  to  these  contracts  are  bound  by 
them,  while  so  possessed  by  the  enemy.     The  said  Temple 


is  to  pay  for  the  water  out  of  the  funds  received  for  the 

salt. 

\Vitucss  our  hands  and  seals  this  17th  day  of  June,  186S 
(Signed)  JOHN  W.  LEWIS,  (l.  s.) 

(Signed)  M.  S.  TEMPLE,  (l.  s.) 

Witness  : 

W.  E.  RECTOR. 

•   Wo  guarantee  to  John    W.  Lewis,  agent,  the  .full  and 

faithful  performance  of  the  ahove  contract  on  the  part  of 

M.  S.  Temple. 

Witness  our  hands  and  seals. 

.    (Signed)  SAMUEL  McGAUGHY,  security,  (l.  s.) 

.      STATE  OF  GEORGIA,      } 
('obb  County,  July  3rd,  1862.  J 

AVhcreas,  it  is  not  convenient  for  Hon.  John  W.  Lewis, 
agent  of  the  State  of  Georgia  in  the  capacity  mentioned  in 
the  foregoing  copy  contracts,  to  remain  at  the  salt  works, 
to  see  in  person  to  the  carrying  out  of  the  said  contracts, 
and  to  attend  to  nil  the  business  incident  to  the  same,  I 
hereby  appoint  and  »>onstitute  Jesse  R.  Wikle,  of  the  coun' 
ty  of  liartow  in  this  State,  agent  to  remain  at  the  sal^ 
works,  to  do  and  perform  all  necessary  acts  Knd  things  t** 
be  done  on  the  part  of  the  State  of  Georgia  in  carrying 
out  said  contracts,  but  not  giving  him  power,  unless  spec*" 
all}' authorized  hereafter,  to  change  or  alter  said  contract**' 
nor  revoking  hereby  any  powers  heretofore  given  to  8ai<^ 
John  W.  Lewi.>i.  "^ 

(Signed)  JOSEPH  E.  BROWN, 

Governor  0/  Georgia. 


LETTER  OE  M.  S  TEMPLE  TO  GOV.  BROWN. 

Saltville,  Va.,  Feb.  Ist,  1863. 

Ho7i.  Joseph  K.  Brouni,  * 

Governor  of  tht  State  of  Georg'a  : 

Dkau  Sir: — I  hope  you  will  not  be  deterred  from  giving 
this  communication  a  careful  perusal  on  account  of  its  great 
length. 

The  vital  interest  I  have  in  the  subject  embraced  and  the 
deep  solicitude  manifested  by  your  Excellency  for  its  suc- 
cess, justifies  the  expectation  and  belief  that  you  will  give 
it  a  patient  and  impartial  consideration,  and  pass  such  judg- 
ment on  the  merits  of  the  question  embraced  between  the 


8 

piartieB  in  interest,  as  the  diaractfr  ol  th«'  Ciisc   uudor  .ill 
the  circumstances  may  seem  to  justify. 

I  refer,  of  course,  to  the  subject  of  nmkint^ .«///,  with  all 
its  attendinir  jierplexitips,  aiiiioyiiMc«»s  anddinicnltirs.  Thc!?«' 
things  atteiuh'd  my  early  ctrorls  at  preparation  tor  salt  m,v- 
king  in  a  most  remarkable  manner,  and  have,  I  regrot  to  Ray, 
more  than  kept  pace  with  every  snbse^pient  movement  up 
to  the  present  liour.  Dillictiltirs  without  number  or  pai;- 
allcl  have  been  met  tliat  were  not  ntiti(i)>ated,  and  of  cour'^e 
not  provided  lor.  My  present  purpose  i>;  to  bring  to  your 
notice  the  question  of  the  propriety  and  justire  of  allow- 
ing increased  compensation  for  the  production  of  salt  for 
the  people  of  (Jeor  ia.  I  have  no  le^al  claim  to  present. 
I  ofter  none.  I  ask.  however,  tlio  )»i*ivileire  to  refer  to  some 
of  the  circumstances  by  which  I  was  surroimded  at  the 
time  of  makiniT  said  tsalt  contract,  and  which  had  their  in- 
iiucnce  in  causing  me  to  engage  in  making  salt,  as  distin- 
guished from  those  that  now  surround  n»e. 

In  the  first  place,  I  was  negotiating  at  tl»e  t.iiuf  1  met 
"with  Dr.  J.  W.  Lewi>^,  wiiii  Messrs.  Stewart,  IWichanan  Sc 
Co.,  ibr  a  salt  water  privilege  on  my  own  private  account, 
and  on  terms  that  would  have  made  uie  a  large  fortune. 
Dr.  Lewis  at.once  urged  mc  in  an  earnest  and  pressing  man- 
ner to  undertake  to  carry  out  his  contract,  am!  to  lose  sight 
of  all  idea  of  speculation,  lie  more  than  once  remarked 
to  me  that  it  was  all  wrong  for  an}'  man  to  speculate  on 
the  necessities  of  a  suHering  j>eople,  and  that  the  voice  of 
public  sentiment  would  overwhelm  uuy  man  in  such  an  un- 
dertaking. 

To  the  representations  and  entreaties  ot  our  ntutual  friend. 
Dr.  Lewis,  I  am  to-day  indebted  lor  my  connection  witli 
your  State,  believing  as  I  theij  did,  and  as  things  then  were, 
I  could  perform  a  patriotic  act  for  a  noble  and  public  spir- 
ited people,  and  at  the  same  time  make  a  reasonable  com- 
pensation for  my  fiimily.  The  result  of  our  frequent  inter- 
views was  the  contract  you  have  on  file  in  your  oflice. 

1  have  spared  neither  money  nor  effort  to  carry  it  into 
tuccessful  execution.  J  am  sorry  it  has  not  been  in  my 
power  to  make  mon;  salt  #n(l  thereby  enable  you  to  realisi' 
your  highest  ex[)cctations  on  this  injportant  subjei',t.  At 
the  time  I  made  my  contract,  no  other  St.ite,  nor  do  I  re- 
-momber  of  any  individual  having  niade  salt  contracts  with 
The  proprietors,  conse(juently  no  competition  in  the  various 
articles  of  supplies  for  making  salt  on  the  part  of  States, 
communities,  counties,  and  individuals  to  an  almost  indeft- 
■!»ito  extent,  could  have  entered  into  the  cost  of  making  salt 
'»t  the  time. 

At  that  time  then;  was  a  very  flattering  prospect  for  the 


growing  crops  of  all  this  country — no  i<ign  of  u  Ifuuine  or 
famine  prices  for  farm  products,  l^abor  was  coniparativelr 
plenty  .iful  cheap.  Mos^t  sup])lies  could  be  ha«i  in  ab\inil- 
i:n€c  and  at  moderate  rates.  No  excess  was  perceptible  in 
the  volume  of  the  currency  of  the  country  at  that  time. 
No  c«uiscript  law  had  been  p.-jssed  and  put  into  force.  Ko 
<lenioustrution  had  been  nuido  by  military  an«l  other  author- 
ities to  seize  and  iujpress  and  appropriate  property  r<\irard- 
tess  of  ownership  or  circumstances.  There  was  then  no 
fears  (d'  an  almost  total  failure  of  the  Uailroads  to  haul 
Vv'ood,  nor  could  we  anti«:ipate  such  unheard  of  charges  for 
Transportation  of  wood  and  oflier  sujiplies.  1  certainly  liad 
a  right  to  expect  the  privilege  of  shipping  to  tl;is  place  for 
iuy  own  consumption,  the  production  of  iny  own  larm,  but 
even  that  has  bctn  denied  me,  until  consumed  by  degrees 
by  the  military  authorities,  unlil  but  little  remains  for  ship- 
ment. .Since  I  con.iuenced  work,  here,  the  military  of  lh(^ 
C.  8.  and  the  Lincoln  troops,  when  in  view  at  the  bridges, 
have  taken  corn  .vud  iiay  and  appropriated  the  san:c  without 
one  dime  of  compensation,  to  the  value  of  between  four 
and  fire  thousand  dollars.  Every  article  that  enters  into 
the  production  of  salt  has  rose  from  one  htiudrcd  t«one 
thousand  per  cc?it.  in  the  past  seven  months.  The  people 
of  the  entire  country  have  become  excited,  I  may  say  gone 
wild  with  the  spirit  of  speculation.  Promises  to-day  are 
disregarded  and  brokefi  to-morrow  by  nirjeteea  out  of  twen- 
ty of  tlie  community,  ])rovided  they  can  make  money  by 
the  operation.  These  are  son.e  of  tkjc  circumstances  that 
suiroun<l  rue  to-da}',  in  trying  to  Uiakc  salt  for  your  ]ieople. 
They  are  th.e  result  of  causes  beyond  ny  power  to  loresee. 
or  control.  'J'he  cost  to-day  of  making  salt  is  more  than  I 
am  receiving  from  the  .State. 

For  convenience  ol"  comparison,  I  a]>pend  a  list  of  pres- 
ent and  past  prices  for  some  leading  aiticles  of  consum}i- 
tion. 

I  have  no  idea  of  repudiatijig  the  contract,  r»or  of  relax- 
ing my  energies  in  any  particular,  but  candor  couipels  mo 
to  say,  that  shotdd  the  war  continue  for  a  great  length  of 
time,  and  supplies  remain  at  [uesent  }>rices,  it  is  uncertain 
how  long  I  may  be  able  to  carry  on  the  business. 

I  have  spent  at  this  plac^-^  a  large  share  of  the  earnings  of 
a  very  active  life  for  2'3  years,  in  preparation  and  supplies 
for  ntaking  salt,  hoping  for  a  reasonable  rev,'ard  from  our 
contract,  but  at  present  I  am  fully  of  the  opinion  1  am  tfv 
be  greatly  disappointed  unless  you  see  j)roper  to  alter* the 
contract  to  correspond  with  the  vrry  remarkable  and  un- 
precedented change  that  has  taken  place  \u  the  value  of 
*vcrv  article  connected  with  the  business. 


10 

Tlu'  agoiilN  lor  inakinij  salt  for  tlie  State  of  Tennessee  aitd 
Alalmina,  are,  as  I  am  iiiforimvl,  rcceiviiiff  net  for  each  bush- 
el of  salt  made  tnyi  dnllan,  w  irh  an  additional  privilege  of 
raising  salt  in  jiKytnent  of  all  supplies  from  the  first  begin- 
ning, wliii-li  riiablfd  tliem  to  buy,  at  very  low  ratfs  all  ar- 
ticles lo  carry  on  tln'ir  works.  Tlit'se  paymoMls  have  had 
jirccedence  over  the  deliveries  to  the  ^States  for  eonsump- 
tion.  Our  contract  was  the  hrst  one  made,  in  the  absence 
of,  and  not  i'xpccting  comjx'tition,  consecpienlly  lessgnar- 
ded.and  at  much  lower  nilo  than  any  contract  since  mudo 
by  any  [)arty. 

I  respecttullv  ask  of  your  Kxcellency  a  careful  survey  of 
all  the  facts,  and  circumstances  of  the  trade,  and  decide  the 
(piestion  that  I  now  propose  (viz:)  So  to  change  the  eon- 
tract  as  to  allow  mo  the  sauie  the  Tennessee  and  Alabama 
agents  are  receiving,  lu\)  dolldi:^  pv  htis/tr!  instead  ot  one  u-h 
per  the  present  agreement. 

The  change  proposed  if  made,  cannot  be  very  injuriou-* 
to  a  whole  State,  and  yet  may  savt;  an  individual  and  his 
family  from  baukrn[)tcy  and  ruin,  and  who  had  certainly 
liO[>ed  for  very  dilleient  results.  In  this  comiectio:i  I  will 
remark,  that  last  fall  1  made  a  private  contract  for  salt 
water  privileges  to  a  small  extent,  but  had  to  agree  to  givo 
}rfdd  co'ni  in  payment  at  high  rates.  On  this  contract  I  was 
able  to  nsake  only  a  small  a:nountof  salt,  and  the  amount 
made  was  mainly  a[>[)roprialed  to  aid  in  «'arryiiig  on  your 
ccmtract  in  shape  of  payments  for  supplies,  itc. 

T  would  be  glad  to  hear  from  yon  at  your  earliest  conve- 
nience. 1  have  sent  to  Dr.  John  W.  Lewis  a  c«ipy  of  this 
communication,  as  he  is  »;uite  I'ainiliar  with  all  the  circnni- 
Ktances,*and  being  the.  agent  to  make  the  contract.  We 
have  on  hand  betv/een  2i)  and  oO  car  loads  of  salt,  and  ma- 
king as  fast  as  we  can  when  we  get  wood.  My  wood  for- 
ces in  Tennessee  are  progressing  finely  up  to  latest  accounts. 

Yours  lespectfullv, 

M.  S.'TKMPLK. 

dan.   IStiti.  Jan.  18G3. 

Corn  per  bnshel M.OO S4.()0 

Hay  per  cwt 75 4.01) 

Iron  per   pound (> 'i^ 

Tallow  ]ier  pound.  ...       2-3 ^•'i 

Beans  per  bushel 1 .00 5.00 

Nails  [»(!r  pound. 10 T'J 

domestics  4i '20 So 

Jeans  per  vard 1.50 5.00  to     8.00 

Shoes....'. 4.00 ■ 10.00  to  15.00 

Irish  potatoes  per  bush.   1.00 5.00 


11 

^  Jan.  1S62.                     Jan.  1803. 

Bacon  per  pouijJ 20 CO 

Cord  wood  per  con! .  .    Q.OO-i/r/ircrrd 30.00  to  Sa.O^^ 

Do  in  woods  standing- .       40  to  1 .00 2.00  to     4.00 

^lechanics  per  day 2.00  to  o.OO G.OO  to  lO.OO 

Cutting  cord  wood 1.00 3.00  to    4.00- 

I  raiding  cord  wood. . .    2.00 !  0.00 

Horse.'*,    nudes,    wagons    &c.,  &c.,    &c.,   in  like  propor- 
tion. 


LETTER  OF  LlnV.  lUtOWN  TO  M.  «,  TEMPLE. 

EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT,  { 
MiLLEOGEvn.LK.  Feb.  J2,  ISG3.      y, 

3////.  M.  iS.  T(:7ni>Ic : 

Dear  Sii;— I  have  to  acknowledgo  tiic  roeci}»t  of  voht- 
letter  in  reference  to  extra  compensation  for  making  salt, 
under  the  contract  made  between  yon  and  this  State,  acting 
through  Dr.  Lewis  as  agent.  The  contract  has  been  repor- 
ted to  the  Legislature,  and  apj)roved  by  tliem,  and  I  do  not. 
teel  at  liberty  to  cliaiige  it  and  allow  more  coinpensattos} 
without  the  concurrence  of  that  authoritv. 

Col.  Bigliam,  who  i.s  also  engiiged  in  manufacturing  salt 
at  Saltville,  and  knows  the  cost  of  inaking  it,  is  a  promi- 
nent mend)er  of  the  (Jeneral  AsjX'mbly.  When  the  Legis- 
lature meets  again  ii!  April,  I  will  confer  with  him  and  oth-" 
ers,  who  have  had  experience,  and  will  advise  such  action, 
as  may  be  considered  just  and  right. 

The  fact  that  you  have  not  delivered,  up  to  this  time,  or 
to  tlie  time  your  wood  failed,  near  as  much  per  day  as  the- 
contract  called  for,  may  be  a  circumstance  not  favorable  to- 
your  application.  I  would  suggest  that  you  deliver  al!  it!-; 
your  power  till  the  Legi:<hiture  meets. 

Col.  Whitaker  will  place  funds  in  the  i'ands  of  Mr.. 
"SVykle  to  pay  for  it. 

Very  respectfully  &e., 
(Signed)  JOt^EPH  E.  B■RO^Y.N. 


LETTER  OEM.  vS.  TEMPLE  TO  GOV.  BROWN 

Saltville,  Va.,  20t.h  March,  1SG3. 

Hon.  Jostith  E.  Brown,  (Governor  of  (tcorg'ia': 

.     Deak  SiK — Your  favor  of  the   12th  February  last,  in  re- 
ply to-  my  npplicatiou  for  increased  compensation  for  man- 


^■•factiiriiic:  salt  lor  your  State,  was  tluly  received.  1  bi"^ 
ieavt!  resju'ctlully  to  reply  to  that  ])art  of  your  lotter,  "m 
^whicli  you  refer  to  the  fact,  that  previous  to  the  Imrning  in 
!thc  bridges  on  the  Hue  of  the  V..  'l\  &.  Va.  K.  R.,  ou  the  iiKU 
Oeccniber,  I  had  not  delivered  to  your  agout  as  much  salt 
per  day  as  the  contract  recpiired. 

i  will  briefly  (state  the  circuinstanees  and  allow  you  to 
arrive  at  your  own  couelusious.  I  e<riutueui'<Ml  building  salt 
■furuaces  the  last  days  iu  .June.  IJy  the  L'Uth  of  August  1 
\taA  one  furnace  completed,  and  at  onee  eoininenee*!  niakin*^ 
salt,  at  the  rate  of  about  two  hundred  bushels  per  <lay,  bn- 
six  <ia3's  in  Llie  week.  By  tin'  :2'J<1  of  (Jct(d)er  1  had  a  suHi- 
-•i'"!;t.  ijunibcr  «»f  kettles  in  successful  operation,  t)  make  live 
■Mjdred  bushels  of  salt  per  day.  The  balance  of  that  n)onth, 
:uid  all  the  month  of  November,  we  succeeded  finely.  Thf 
;r.<l  days  of  December,  our  business  was  mainly  suspended. 
The  ijreat  dennind  for  salt  by  the  Confederate  States,  and  the 
State cf  Virginia,  was  such,  that  nearly  all  the  available 
^ruisportatum  on  tin'  Va.  Tenn.  K.  1'.  was  appropriate<l 
to  the  benefit  of  those  interests',  in  hauling  wood  and  salt, 
thc3^  demanding  the  preference  in  every  instance,  over  all 
other  States.  'J'hus  matters  stood,  at  that  importiiut  season 
far  jnaking  salt  tor  your  State.  Seeing  }io  other  remedy,  1 
.lej't  the,  works  and  called  on  your  Excelhiucy  in  person,  at 
Milledgeville,  for  an  engine  and  cars  to  aid  nie  in  carryini; 
on  the  business,  equal  to  my  own  wishes  and  your  just  ex- 
pectations. 

Your  j)at:riotic  desire  to  ai'complish  every  thing  possible, 
for  the  good  of  the  peo[ile  of  (.Jeorgia,  prompteil  you  with- 
out a  moment's  hesitation,  to  give  me  an  order  for  an  engine 
-ojd  cars,  but  nntbrtunately,  our  common  enemy  burned 
'iwe  bridges  on  the  E.  T.  &  Va.  Road  before  I  had  time  to 
receive   the    train.     Memor.-nida   n)ail«!    at   the  time  by  mv 

•  i;Ierk,  shows  that  our  furnaces  were  idl«;  for  the  want  of 
wood  hauled  by  the  trains  in  the  month  of  J)«'c»'ml)er,  six- 
teen days  atone  time,  to  say  nothing  of  j)revions  stopages 
.it«!»ort  intervals,  from  the  same  cause.  Sin«'e  the  first  of 
Januajy,  the  transportation  for  wood  :ntd  salt  has  been 
mainly  for  the  Confederate  Slates  and  the  State  of  Virginia, 
of  course  but  a  small  amount  of  salt  has  been  made  by  the 
ij^ents  of  other  States.  1  have  sent  from  thi^  plai-e  to  Briv 
trol,  since  the  first  of  January  oidy  8  car-loads  of  salt.  The 
combined  effort  of  your  agent  Mr.  Wykle  and  myself  have 
becii  unable!  to  ac<-omj)lish  more. 

•My  principal  dilliculty  at  present  is,  transportation.  Oar 
«xpcnses  arc  vtyy  heavy  and  must  go  on  day  and  night, 
Tkvhcthcr  we  remain  idle  or  make  salt.  Your  agent  will 
.furttisji  you    with  a   statement    of  salt  shipped,    as  well  a« 

•  Sftltiiow  on  hand  ready  for  shipment. 


13 
-  -      -       ■ 


I  kope  I  am,  iinder  the  circumstances,  excusable  for  agaia 
nailing  your  attention  to  the  propriety  of  allowing  an  in- 
crease in  the  con'pensation  for  making  salt.  I  find,  in  sna- 
king a  careful  comparison  of  the  relative  value  of  the  lead- 
ing articles  of  consumption,  that  enter  into  the  productiioia 
«f  salt,  since  the  1st  of  February,  as  set  forth  in  my  letter 
to  you  of  that  date,  vary  from  25  to  GO  per  cent  of  an  ia~ 
crease  in  value,  over  the  vahie  of  the  same  articles,  less  tltaib 
sixty  days  since.  I  may  with  piopriety  refer  to  the  fact, 
that  quite  recently,  Charles  Scott  &;  Co.,  have  made  a  salt 
c<»ntract  with  a  joint  committee  of  the  Legislature  of  Vir- 
ginia for  750, 000  bushels  of  salt  at  SS.o'J  per  bushel,  reserv- 
ijig  privileges  of  an  important  character  to  those  makioj^ 
the  salt.  Tiie  Conf<Hlcrate  States,  pay  for  their  salt  this 
year  S2.50  per  bushel. 

For  further  and  fuller  information  in  regard  to  the  iact» 
set  forth  in  my  correspondence,  and  the  salt  ([uestion  gener- 
ally, I  respectfnlly  refer  you  to  Col.  Bigham  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  of  tlie  Legislature  of  your  State. 

Y'ours  most  respectfully, 
(Signed)  M.  S.  TEMPLE.. 

J.  IL  WICKLK'S  LETTEii   TO.GOV.'jJROWN. 

Saltville,  Va.,  March  27th,  lS6lt_ 

lion.  JosepJi  K.  Bioivn  : 

Dear  Siu — Our  friend  Maj.  Bigham    will  hand  you   this. 
letter,  who  can  inform  you  on  the  subject  of  our  salt  opfflr- 
ations.     We  have  about  ^JO  car-loads  salt  sacked,  with  eve- 
ry prospect  of  getting  all  or  more  than  our  contract   ia  tl»e 
future,  provided  we  can  procure  transportation  for  it.   That 
is  the  great  object  to  be  consummated  now.     Maj.  liighaHit 
will  hand  you  for  perusal  and  consideration  a  communica- 
tion and  proposition  from  Mr.   Dodamead.     You  will  per- 
ceive it  is  in  answer  to  letters  from  Maj.  Bigham,  Maj  Teiih- 
ple  and  myself,  on    the   subject  of  transportation.     He  ad- 
mits that  he  has  not  sulhcieut  roiling  stock  and  motive  pow- 
er to  do  the  work  of  the  Koad  and  carry  off  the  salt  for  us, 
yet  he  has  determined  not   to  permit  foreign  trains  to  run 
over  his  road.     The  acceptance  of  the  proposition    which 
will  be  submitted  you  from  Mr.  Dodamead,  is  the  only  means 
of  getting  oil"  our  salt.     1  think  it  a  better  plan  than  to  send 
trains  here.     It  will  not  require  as  many    engines  and  cars 
as  to  send  trains  through,  and  it  will  not  be   near  so  expen- 
sive to  the  State.     It  is  true,   the   compensation  proposed 
is  very  low,  yet  it  is   better  than    none,    and    relieves    thc- 
State  of  the  o^pense  of  engines,    firemen,    oil,   tallow  &c., 
which  would  have  to  be  incurred  by  the  State,  were  traint^ 


14 

io  run  throiii;h.  1  think  (»ni'  eimiiic — large  size — and  six- 
<Aieu  cars  would  carry  all  onr  salt  to  Bristol,  if  n  schedule 
i«  inado  to  make  a  trip  daily.  If  a  trij»  could  not  be  made 
4:laily,  it  would  probably  require  more.  An  enjjine  will  car- 
ry eii^ht  cars  from  here  to  I'ristol. 

Maj.  Tenjple  will  be  at  Milledireville,  on  the  subject  of 
an  increasj!  of  eoniperisalion  for  salt.  il«;  is  evidently  los- 
ing m(M)«'y  at  the  pn'sen;.  price. 

It  will  require  an  engine,  and  about  eii^ht  open  cars  to 
haul  wood  for  the  Geor;^ia  furnactes.  Should  you  decide  to 
KPud  cnirines  and  cars  to  this   road,  the  sooner  the  better. 

J  get  a  car  to  load  ocrua'hnuiltij.  If  we  depend  upon  thin 
road  a.s  at  present  uianai(<'d,  we  will  m'.l  eoniparativrly  lit- 
tle Rult  shipped  here.  In  the  nii'antime  I  shall  continue  to 
importune  them  for  cars,  and  get  oil'  as  much  salt  as  possi- 
ble. 

If  not  too  much  trouble,  will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  send 
anc  a  certificate  of  my  aj>[M)intmerit  as  salt  agent,  with  the 
«eal  of  the  6tate  attached. 

•  Yours  trulv, 

J.  K.  \VIKLi:. 


€0L.  THOS.DODAMKAD,  SIJI'T.  OF  VA.  v^   TENX.  li. 
R.,  TOMA.I.  B.  II.  BIO  HAM. 

YlKCINlA  AND  TeNXRSSKK  RaILIIOAO  Co.  \ 

Lynchburg,  Va.,  March  24,»1SG3.      3 
Maj.  Bifi^hfim,  Pirsi.  Plantfrs*  S<d(.  Mtui.  Co.  : 

Dkafi  Sir — In  reply  to  your  application  through  .Mr.  Cox, 
:md  the  application  oi'  AI.  S.  Temple  tt  Co.,  and  of  Judge 
Wikle,  iriaking  in(p.iiry  on  what  terms  this  Company  would 
permit  trains  belonging  lo  roads  in  the  .State  of  Georgia  to 
,rnn  ovi-r  this  road  between  P.rlstol  ami  ."SalLville,  I  would 
-'■tate  that  my  judgment  and  past  experience  has  conviiu;ed 
me  that  it  is  injudicious  and  inexpedient  as  well  at?  <langer- 
ous  and  eml)arrassing  to  the  operatioiss  on  the  salt  works 
branch  to  allow  the  trains  from  other  roads  (under  the  coii- 
i(roI  of  their  respective  employees  who  are  not  familiar  with 
the  peculiarilies  of  this  road,  or  with  tin;  rules  or  regula- 
tions of  tlu;  road,  and  not  respensibh;  to  tlm  otlicers  of  this 
road)  to  be;  run  over  it,  coiiseipiently  we  have  determined 
lo  refuse  all  applications  for  that  jiurpose.  At  the  same 
time  being  desirous  of  lacilitating  the  transportation  of  salt, 
and  believing  that  we  h  ve  not  a  sullicient  supply  of  motive 
power  or  cars  we  are  disposed  to  make  such  arrangiunents 
as  will  effect  the  object  without  the  danger  and  inconveni- 
<!nco  attending  the  running  of  strange  trains  over  the  road. 
1  therefore   propose,  if  the  State  of  Georgia  has   a  surplus 


15 

stock  of  engines  and  cars,  that  they  sliall  furnish  to  this 
Company  one  or  more  locomotives,  and  sufficient  number  of 
freight  cars  to  be  supplied  with  good  brakes  (on  each  car) 
to  be  used  with  the  engine  or  engines,  thev  to  be  run  and 
managed  entirely  by  the  employees  of  this  company,  under 
the  control  of,  and  to  be  rcsjumsible  to,  the  officers  of  this 
company,  and  to  bo  used  in  the  transportation  of  salt  for 
the  ;Statc  of  Georgia,  wood  and  o^her  sH[)plies  necessary  to 
the  manufacture  of  salt  ior  that  State.  J  propose  that  this 
company  shall  pay  to  the  proprietors  or  owner  of  said  ei»- 
gines  and  cars  a  reasonable  rate  of  compensation  A)r  tlie 
use  of  them,  to  be  heicafter  named,  and  that  after  the  salt  re- 
quired to  be  transportcfl  for  the  State  of  (Jeorgia,  wood  sup- 
plies shall  havt!  been  transported,  then  this  company  to  have 
the  privilege  of  using  said  locomotives  and  cars  for  the 
transportation  of  salt  or  wood  supplies  &c.,  for  other  par- 
ties, j)rovided  they  shall  not  he  used  on  any  part  of  the 
road,  (ixcept  between  ]3ristol  and  Saltville,  and  only  so  to 
be  used  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  the  said  locomotives  and 
c^rs,  and  the  hands  in  charge  of  the  same  employed.  This 
company  propose  in  consideration  of  the  use  of  said  loco- 
motives and  cars,  to  pay  for  each  locomotive  the  sum  of 
($10)  ten  dollars  per  day,  furnishing  engine-man  and  fire- 
man, oil,  waste  fuel  &c.,  and  to  do  the  snuill  ordinary  re- 
pairs necessary  to  keep  the  engine  in  running  condition  ; 
but  not  to  perform  any  large  or  important  repairs.  The  con- 
sideration proposed  for  the  use  of  the  cars,  is  that  this  com- 
pany shall  pay  2  cents  per  mile  run  by  each  car;  an  accu- 
rate account  to  be  kept  of  the  same,  and  to  furnish  oil  and 
grease  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  the  axles  properly  lubri- 
cate^]  ;  the  same  conditions  as  to  repairs  as  proposed  for  the 
engines.  It  is  further  to  be  understood  that  the  size  of  the 
engine  or  engines  to  be  furnished  shall  be  such  as  may  be 
approved  by  me,  in  consequence  of  the  "heavy  grades  over 
which  they  are  compelled  to  work  ;  the  heaviest  class  en- 
gine in  use  on  the  roads  in  the  State  of  Georgia  where  the 
grades  are  light  will  be  required.  I  would  further  state  tliat 
if  the  companies  furnishing  the  engines  prefer  to  send  their 
own  engineermen  and  firemen  for  the  time  being,  to  be  in 
the  employment  of  this  company,  and  paid  by  them,  and 
subject  in  all  rcppects  to  be  governed  as  employees  of  this 
compa'iy,  I  have  no  objections. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 
THOS.  DODAMEAD. 


HoUingcr 

pH8.5 

Mill  Run  F3.1955 


